Intraoperative Detection of Leakage Using Topical Fluorescein Following Free Flap Inset in Head and Neck Reconstruction

In microsurgical head and neck reconstruction, a watertight closure following flap inset is essential to prevent saliva leakage and subsequent complications, such as wound dehiscence and fistulas. However, no standard method has been established to detect and localize the leakage following flap inset. The authors introduce a simple, easy, mobile, and inexpensive method to intraoperatively detect the leakage using topical fluorescein sodium mixed saline and Wood lamp. This simple procedure will allow surgeons to be confident of watertight closure. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Eun Key Kim, MD, PhD, Department of Plastic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Korea; E-mail: nicekek@korea.com Received 2 August, 2018 Accepted 27 November, 2018 The authors report no conflicts of interest. © 2019 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.

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